History can often feel like a vast novel with little connection to our lives as students and teachers. In reality, history happened right in our own backyard—literally. That’s exactly what my students discovered through an artifact from the Kentucky Historical Society featuring Henry Clay. Through EPIC, I had the opportunity to attend a professional development session with Maddie Menz, who introduced me to the wide range of resources, artifacts, and lessons available through the organization. My students analyzed the engraving “The United States Senate, A.D. 1850” by Robert Whitechurch, which prominently features Clay, known as the Great Compromiser. This artifact helped students better understand his role in American history as a proud Kentuckian and sparked meaningful conversations about how leaders were presented to the public. Many students even noted that Clay was dressed more formally than they had imagined a Kentuckian from the 1800s would be.
Using these resources showed me how powerful primary sources can be in moving students beyond rote learning. By analyzing this artifact, students were able to think critically about how images communicate ideas and shape public perception. They also considered how this engraving may have been used to build support for Clay during his political career, deepening their understanding of both the man and the time period.
Johna Menshouse
Fairview High School
Fairview Independent Schools
8th and 9th Grade
